Endocarditis in Greenland with special reference to endocarditis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae
Madsen RG, Ladefoged K, Kjærgaard JJ, Andersen PS, Clemmesen C

 

ABSTRACT [full text] [back to issue 68(4)]

 

Objectives. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the incidence and outcome of infectious endocarditis in Greenland with an emphasis on pneumococcal endocarditis.

Study design. Retrospective, non-interventional study.

Methods. Review of files and medical history of all patients with infectious endocarditis from the Patient Registry in Greenland in the 11-year period 1995–2005.

Results. There were 25 cases of endocarditis, giving an incidence rate of 4.0/100,000 per year. Twenty-four percent of these cases were caused by Streptoccous pneumonia, which is significantly more frequent than in studies on Caucasian populations, where pneumococcal infection was seen in 1–3% of endocarditis cases. The overall mortality rate was 12%. Pneumococcal endocarditis
(PE) had the clinical characteristics of fulminant disease with frequent heart failure, complications and need for surgery. Among cases with PE, 67% needed acute valve replacement and the mortality rate was 33%.

Conclusions. The high incidence rate, clinical characteristics and grave prognosis of PE are consistent with another study of an Inuit population in Alaska.

(Int J Circumpolar Health 2009; 68(4):347-353)

Keywords: Endocarditis, Streptococcus Pneumoniae, Pneumococcal infections, Inuit, Greenland